BRADFORD City were superb either side of half-time at Mansfield Town last night, and heroic at times in the final half-hour with 10 men.

And after securing a 2-1 win, we thought we'd pick out five things we learned from the 100 minutes(!!) of action.

1) IN DEFENCE OF THE DARK ARTS

I'm not sure City fans have forgiven Doncaster for their display on the opening day at Valley Parade, after an outrageous display of timewasting followed a ridiculous Lee Tomlin red card.

And it is not the only time at home this season that teams have attempted to thwart City with somewhat unsavoury tactics, sometimes succesfully.

But the shoe was on the other foot last night, as the Bantams resorted to whatever they needed to do once Matty Platt was sent off and Will Swan halved the deficit.

As well as thumping the ball anywhere away from their goal on a regular basis, it seemed like nearly every Bantams player went down 'injured' at some point or other in the last 30 minutes.

The highlight came off the field though, when Matty Foulds' injury-time hoof landed in among the City fans, who proceeded to hold on to the ball for as long as they could.

Mansfield's fans, and the home commentator next to me, were irate, but City did what they needed to do.

It might not be pretty, but it was certainly effective, and ultimately City's timewasting tactics proved vital in securing the three points.

2) FABULOUS FULL-BACKS

Many felt Luke Hendrie and Liam Ridehalgh would be City's starting full-backs this season.

But last night, Brad Halliday and Matty Foulds proved once again why they are worthy of a spot in the first XI.

Halliday had arguably his best game in Bantams colours, with his overlapping runs causing Mansfield no end of trouble, and leading directly to Richie Smallwood's opener.

Foulds was an attacking threat once again and his delivery from the left is becoming a real weapon for City.

Both did their jobs defensively too, part of a hugely impressive rearguard as City held on for the three points after 35 minutes with 10 men.

3) CITY'S BEST MIDFIELD TRIO

There have been cries for City to play two up top at times this season, but Mark Hughes has stuck steadfastly to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

And last night showed why he loves it so much.

Going with arguably his best current trio, given Dion Pereira's indifferent form since returning to Valley Parade, Tyreik Wright, Harry Chapman and Scott Banks all stood out.

All three were involved in the lovely first goal, and it was they who were fashioning all of City's best chances in the first half, not lone striker Andy Cook.

They were instrumental as the Bantams clicked into gear 25 minutes into the match.

If Wright, Chapman, Banks start most games between now and May, City will surely be a serious play-off/promotion contender.

4) SONGO'O A BRILLIANT BACK-UP

Yann Songo'o was outstanding at the back when I covered City's 2-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers last season, comfortably the best visiting player on the day.

He was superb under Hughes at centre-half last term, and can perhaps consider himself unlucky to be one of the back-up brigade this season.

But what a back-up to have, and he was superb last night.

Coming on almost immediately after Matty Platt's red card for Harry Chapman, Songo'o immediately got into the swing of things.

Along with Romoney Crichlow, he was immense at the back in the closing stages, always finding himself in the right place at the right time to make a tackle, block or headed clearance.

With Platt now banned for Saturday's game at Sutton, Mark Hughes should not have too much to worry about if he slots Songo'o into the team in Platt's place.

5) FANS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

It's an old cliche about a team's fans being their 12th man, but last night epitomised that.

Nearly 1,500 City supporters made the trip to Field Mill, and were in high spirits throughout, especially after Richie Smallwood put them in front.

The wild celebrations between the fans and players following Andy Cook's superb goal, which made the score 2-0, showed the bond between everyone at the club at present.

And Mark Hughes was quick to praise the supporters for their efforts in those nerve-wracking last 35 minutes, when the Bantams were flagging and trying to defend a lead with 10 men.

The players seemed to get that extra energy from the backing the fans gave them in those closing stages, and of course, there was the aforementioned dark arts after Matty Foulds' hoof behind ended up in the stand in which they were housed.

At full-time, the City side headed straight over to the Bantams army behind Christy Pym's goal, knowing the part they had played.

Sometimes, a team victory isn't just about those on the pitch.